A federal judge ruled Thursday that Korey Stringer's widow can proceed with her negligence lawsuit against the NFL and equipment maker Riddell Inc. over his heatstroke death. Stringer, a 335-pound lineman for the Minnesota Vikings, died from heatstroke after he practiced in the sweltering heat and humidity.

Chargers linebacker Steve Foley sued the city of Coronado and the off-duty police officer who shot him three times outside his home, his attorney said Wednesday. The civil suit accuses Officer Aaron Mansker of negligence and excessive force, and seeks unspecified damages from the officer and the city.

Since 9/11 and the collapse of the World Trade Center, business executives, architects, engineers, and safety experts have worked to find safer ways to evacuate skyscrapers, focusing mostly on improving stairwells and elevators. On the fringes of this effort is a raft of what are called "last-resort" devices.